Iteris Signs Precision Ag Weather Agreement

Cindy Zimmerman March 6, 2015

Iteris, Inc. has signed an agreement with AgRenaissance Software LLC to integrate Iteris’ ClearAg™ Select high-resolution, field-level weather information into AgRenaissance’s FieldX™ suite of software for agricultural producers, agronomists and applicators.

Iteris’ ClearAg solution provides agribusinesses with actionable field-level weather and soil information needed for the data-driven decision making required for efficient crop management, resource allocation, and risk reduction and mitigation. ClearAg is a series of application programming interfaces (API’s) and mobile application products that can be readily integrated with third-party agricultural software applications like FieldX from AgRenaissance. FieldX is an easy-to-use, record-keeping tool for agricultural producers, agronomists and applicators. The FieldX suite includes PC software, an iPad® app, and a cloud-based data storage system.

ASA Awards at #Classic15

Cindy Zimmerman March 6, 2015

Bryan Perry, of BASF, (left) and ASA President Wade Cowan (right) present Steve Berger (center) with the National Conservation Legacy Award

The American Soybean Association (ASA) presented several awards during the annual banquet at Commodity Classic last week.

Steve Berger from Wellman, Iowa received the 2015 National Conservation Legacy Award, designed Along with ASA, the program is co-sponsored by BASF Crop Protection, Monsanto, Corn & Soybean Digest magazine and the United Soybean Board/Checkoff.

ASA presented Dr. Jim Specht, emeritus professor of agronomy and horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with the Special Meritorious Service Award for his work leading to major advancements in the soybean industry, including findings that an earlier planting date was crucial to achieving higher soybean yields. He was instrumental in DNA sequencing for generating higher seed yields and a leader in water management research and soybean yield response.

Finally, Harvey Morken, of Casselton, N.D., was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award which honors individuals who have provided outstanding leadership and dedication to ASA and helped further the interests of soybean farmers. Morken’s dedication as a membership recruiter helped the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association increase membership enough to receive a second national director on the ASA Board for 2015.

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by Propane Education and Research Council

ASA, Commodity Classic, Soybean

Bayer Looks to Support Young Ag Professionals

John Davis March 6, 2015

Bayer is working to make sure there’s the next generation of ag professionals ready not only to grow the food, fiber and fuel for this country, but also develop the science and even make sure ag products are marketed the right way. During the the recent Bayer CropScience 10th annual Ag Issues Forum in Phoenix, Chuck caught up with Inci Dannenberg, Vice President of Commercial Operations for Bayer, who said besides the company’s Making Science Make Sense program aimed at elementary school students and the work they do with high school FFA members, Bayer is also reaching out to college graduates.

“We have a year training program for those just coming out of college and might not have an ag background but have business skills to learn about agriculture,” she said, adding the program allows those business grads to look at sales for Bayer. And for those with master’s degrees and even doctorates, there are development programs to fund research.

Bayer also has agricultural ambassador training for its employees to help spread the good news. “That way we have a network of people throughout the country who can go into classrooms and speak about agriculture and maybe spark some interest from future talent.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Inci here: Inci Dannenberg, Vice President of Commercial Operations, Bayer

2015 Ag Issues Forum Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Education

AgNerd Cloud – USB Chargers

Chuck Zimmerman March 5, 2015

Hello multi-gadget AgNerds. With those come the need for multi-USB charging! How many of you when you travel get to a hotel room with a lack of power outlets much less USB ports to plug into? It can be very frustrating.

That’s why I purchased an Anker 60W 6-Port Family-Sized Desktop USB Charger. Got mine on Amazon Prime for $35. When I get home from the agriblogging highway my gadget batteries all need to be charged. I fill all six ports and get the job done quickly. Right now it’s charging my iPhone 6, Mini S4 and iPad Air.

On the road I carry an Anker Astro E7 25600mAh External Battery. This monster charges three devices at once with plenty of power to spare.

There are lots and lots of choices today for mobile power. I go for maximum capacity and outlets and Anker has been a proven quality product for me. If you’ve got other brands let me know what your favorite is in comments.

BTW. I have power outlet plug in covers that contain both power and USB ports and double and single USB port chargers scattered around ZimmComm World Headquarters in strategic places!

Uncategorized

Polaris RANGER Becomes Sponsor of ProRodeo

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2015

Polaris® Industries Inc., the leading manufacturer of off-road vehicles and The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) announced a national partnership recognizing the industry-leading utility vehicle (UTV), Polaris RANGER, as the “Official UTV of the PRCA, the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.”

“Given that the majority of our members and fans reside in rural America, this partnership is a perfect fit,” stated PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman. “Polaris RANGER’s commitment to ProRodeo truly shows the marketing efficacy of this sport and we are proud to have them onboard.”

The newly-formed partnership includes Polaris RANGER joining the PRCA’s family of national sponsors and serving as the Official UTV of the PRCA, the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo will be renamed the “Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER.” PRCA World Champions and all RNCFR champions, effective next month in Kissimmee, Fla., will each receive a Polaris RANGER, as well as both of the Remuda Award winners. The ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund will also benefit with fundraising activities for these two entities.

“Polaris RANGER is excited to continue our support of the sport of rodeo,” said Beth Shimanski, marketing manager for Polaris. “ProRodeo participants are some of the most passionate and dedicated individuals, and this partnership lets us celebrate them and their fans. We look forward to an exciting rodeo season.”

Polaris RANGER provides the hardest-working, smoothest riding UTVs for uses ranging from farming and hunting, to recreational and off-road trips. The line-up consists of premium and value offerings with seating from two to six, in electric, gas and diesel power options to cater to a wide variety of consumer needs.

Read full release here.

Agribusiness, Equipment, Rodeo

Bayer CropScience Launches #CitrusMatters Campaign

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2015

Bayer CropScience and California Citrus Mutual announced #CitrusMatters, a year-long campaign geared at raising consumer awareness of the Huanglongbing (HLB) disease and the devastating impact it could pose to California’s $2.4 billion citrus industry. The announcement was made during the Citrus Showcase, California Citrus Mutual’s annual event that brings together as many as 600 citrus growers from around the state.

The campaign will utilize an educational website, www.citrusmatters.us, and the hashtag #CitrusMatters in social media to educate California homeowners with citrus trees on their property about the important role they play in helping protect California citrus. Given that as many as 60 percent of California homeowners have citrus trees on their property, reducing the risk of infection from backyard trees to commercial citrus groves is vital to the health of the industry.

“Commercial citrus growers are already taking preventative action against HLB, but their groves will be threatened if the disease infects residential areas,” said Joel Nelsen, president of California Citrus Mutual. “Our goal is to educate homeowners about the dangers of the disease and empower them to take action to help prevent the spread of HLB in California. With the assistance of California residents, we can help protect the California citrus industry and the fresh fruit we all love.”

Now through September 30, with every share of the #CitrusMatters hashtag, Bayer CropScience will donate $1, up to $25,000, to California Citrus Mutual in support of prevention, detection and research on this devastating disease. Citrus growers are encouraged to join Bayer CropScience and California Citrus Mutual by sharing why #CitrusMatters with family, friends and neighbors who have citrus trees in their yards.

Agribusiness, Bayer, Citrus

Should Congress grant TPA?

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2015

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you think of proposed government control over the internet?”

It has been called net neutrality or open internet but now it should be called government controlled internet. In a vote along partisan lines the FCC last Thursday passed sweeping changes in how it will be regulating the internet. Basically, they are treating it like the telephone system using some very out of date laws. The goal is to provide more “equality” for users. How this plays out is anyone’s guess. Estimates have been made that the cost of the new regulations will include losing 500,000 jobs and $62 billion over the next five years. Wonder who will pay that and what they will allow. This 317 page move pushed by the Obama Administration has already caused uncertainty for investors in new technology.

It will be interesting to see what impact this has on American agribusiness in coming years.

Here are the poll results:

Agree – 25%
Disagree – 73%
Don’t know – 2%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Should Congress grant TPA?

Congress is considering granting Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), formally known as Fast Track, to move forward on trade agreements being negotiated in Europe and Asia. Every president since Franklin Roosevelt has been given this authority to negotiate agreements that can just be voted up or down by Congress, but there is opposition even in agricultural circles to granting TPA or even pursuing new free trade agreements. What do you think?

ZimmPoll

AgriSCIENCE Award for Teaching Excellence

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2015

DuPont announced that Jessica M. Jones, agriscience teacher at Chatham Middle School in Chatham, Va., has been selected to receive the George Washington Carver AgriSCIENCE Teacher’s Award in recognition of teaching excellence. The award recognizes the top-ranking member of the DuPont National AgriScience Teacher Ambassador Academy (NATAA) who demonstrates and advocates inquiry-based science teaching and inspires students to pursue science excellence. Jones will receive the award at the National Science Teachers Association’s (NSTA) national conference, March 12-15 in Chicago, Ill.

“DuPont is pleased to honor Ms. Jones for her commitment and passion to use science to inspire and educate today’s youth and lead them on a lifelong path of learning,” said Rik L. Miller, president of DuPont Crop Protection. “We rely on Ms. Jones and other excellent teachers to provide children with the skills they will need to solve the global challenges of the 21st century.”

The award honors George Washington Carver (1864-1943), an agricultural scientist, researcher and inventor who was also a valued teacher, friend and mentor of Henry A. Wallace, the founder of DuPont Pioneer, as well as a U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the 33rd Vice President of the United States.

Jones, an honors graduate of Virginia Tech, holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Horticulture and Leadership & Social Change, and a B.S. in Education with an emphasis in Agricultural Education. She also holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Administration and Supervision and is currently working on her doctorate in Leadership Studies at Lynchburg College in Virginia.

“My teaching philosophy is to be challenging and relevant through what I call ‘flearning’ – fun and engaged learning,” said Jones. “I incorporate science inquiry as a way to reach learning goals and objectives. Students investigate various components, find a direct result and apply findings making the inquiry real. I look at problem solving through the student’s vantage and hopefully instill passion as well as the education needed to carry these skills beyond the classroom in order to be universal, productive citizens of our global community.”

Agribusiness, Education, FFA

Celebrating the Years

Melissa Sandfort March 5, 2015

Ah, the torture of family get-togethers! I say that with a laugh for a couple of reasons: 1) I know my grandparents will be reading this, and, 2) because I could only wish for those moments for my own family.

A few of my childhood memories center around music and family celebrations. I remember, vividly, playing from memory “Fur Elise” during church one Sunday. I was mid-way through the piece when my mind went blank (I must have only been about 7 years old – – my mom would remember that detail). So I started over and when I got to the exact same spot, the notes disappeared again. I went running from the sanctuary crying and never played for church again.

I was, however, forced to play a piano duet with my dad for my great-grandparents’ wedding anniversary. Then when I was a bit older, “forced” (again, said with a chuckle because I really was honored to do it) to sing a duet for my grandparents’ wedding anniversary.

These are events to be celebrated and I truly am glad to have been a part of those.

This spoon was for my grandpa’s great-grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary (1856-1906, Friedrich and Elizabeth). In the early 1900s, this gift was probably quite the honor, but I can’t help but wonder if any of their grandchildren sang or played the piano?

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Redhage Selected 2015 NAMA Marketer of the Year

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2015

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) has selected Paul Redhage as the 2015 NAMA Marketer of the Year. The photo is of him during his year as NAMA President.

This recognition is the most prestigious honor awarded to an active member of the association and honors outstanding accomplishments in the field of agri-marketing. For more than 50 years NAMA has been encouraging and promoting excellence in the industry by recognizing outstanding professional accomplishments. The NAMA Marketer of the Year award will be presented during the Second General Session of the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference, on Thursday, April 16, in Kansas City, Mo., and is sponsored by Agri Marketing magazine.

Until his retirement in January, 2015, Redhage served as Strategic Communications Manager for FMC Corporation. FMC is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial and consumer markets around the world. He was a key contributor in making Authority® herbicide a leading brand in the soybean pre-emergent market and also helped elevate Authority as a “Top of Mind” brand in pre-emergents.

Agribusiness, Marketing, NAMA

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